Described as the "dual career", the system of support services was recognised in the UK as long as six years ago when the Government set up the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

This foresight has placed TASS, and consequently the UK, at the cutting edge of this growing and influential field, British officials claim.

This particular area of elite athlete support now appears in the European Union Lisbon Treaty and is currently a driving factor in the development of support given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of its Athlete Career Programme (ACP).

The focus is to ensure elite athletes are prepared and empowered while they are performing in sport to then develop a meaningful career afterwards.

The need for the best coach, strength and conditioning and the latest sports science services is already well understood.

Signposts to the sporting success of TASS-supported athletes are evident from several of the world’s top sporting events in recent years such as 21 of the British medallists in Beijing were current or former TASS athletes, the only GB medallist in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics, Amy Williams (pictured) in the bob skeleton, was a former TASS athlete and 55 TASS supported athletes won 85 medals at the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

With around one in three athletes on World Class funded programmes being graduates of the Scheme, its impact in British sport is already evident. 

However, what is not so well established is the importance of providing the necessary support, infrastructure and guidance to ensure an elite athlete can continue their education while training in their sport.

The scheme has developed and now manages a unique network of education institutions which, in partnership with the National Governing Bodies of sport, ensure athletes have equal support to develop both their sport and their education - no longer being forced to choose one or the other.

Evidence of this includes TASS having been invited to directly advise the IOC on the development of its Education Section for their ACP, including a recent presentation to the IOC ACP Forum to over 30 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), several of whom have booked in fact-finding visits to see TASS in action, including delegations from Japan, Sweden and France.

TASS national manager Guy Taylor said: "For everyone involved with TASS, it is very gratifying to be recognised as world leaders in enabling genuine dual career options for talented sports people.

"The collegiate approach, joining up resources and expertise that previously were disconnected, is cost-effective and sustainable and bodes well for the post-Games period."

Jean-Laurent Bourquin, IOC senior manager in its sports department, said: "Athletes are the Olympic movement's number one priority and sport has a social responsibility to provide them with the necessary support and assistance.

"Athletes in the UK are lucky to have the choices TASS provides.

"It is an inspirational scheme and one that many countries around the world can learn from."